For whatever Thar may be, he is effective.  In almost no time, he has you set up with horses, a map to the site, and provisions for the trip (food, drink, tents).   The travel to the site is fairly pleasant, getting out of the city and following a road and then making for the rugged coastline.  It has the feeling of a holiday outing.  By the end of the first day, you arrive at the coastline and find there an abandoned campsite just in from the coast cliffs.  From there, you can hear the water crashing on the forty to fifty foot cliffs just beyond the camp.   In the dying rays of the sunlight, you investigate the cliffs and find where a rope ladder has been attached and lays coiled at the top of a sheer wall.  The smell of sea water is strong and the wind blows strongly off the coast.  It is here, some mid way down that wall, they the temple/cave entrance is supposed to be.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:35, Sun 27 Dec 2020.

The basket saddle works wonders for Delta, who can't ride a horse, and she thanks Thar for his thoughtfulness. She strums lightly on her lute during the trip, and enjoys the vistas of the day.

The ocean is a particular treat, as she had never seen it before, and she is enraptured by the endless blue-grey beauty of its majesty. She studies it extra carefully, as she hopes to reproduce the image for her parent when next she visits. She hides the potential that they might not survive the adventure in a small pocket in the back of her mind.

When they arrive at their destination she asks Vala for help getting out of the box-saddle. Aware of the fact that straddling a horse was probably more strenuous that the way she had ridden, she defer to the others as to if they are ready to explore further now or if they needed to rest. If they do plan to rest, she starts preparing to cook dinner for them all.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Fri 01 Jan 2021.

Vala seemed particularly cheerful to be out and about in the outdoors. The tall warrioress is at ease on a horse and enjoys the the sea breeze through her hair and her ears. She's also more than happy to help her gnome friend out of her saddle.

"I'm happy to go in right away, though I admit the idea of Delta's cooking is very tempting."

Delta perks up at Vala's compliment, she does enjoy cooking and when her cooking is enjoyed, the pleasure more than double.

"Can someone tend to the horses? I don't know much about the beast, I doubt I can even get the saddle off without killing myself."

She is pleased to see that the rope is coiled up at the top, feeling that this might offer some security.

Once the fire is going, she starts dinner cooking, then takes some time sitting near the edge of the cliff, while practicing her arcane arts.

She will start by painting an image of the sea on the top of the cliff, about five feet wide, by four deep, of the ocean, with the sunset behind it. She will glance at the sea, then back to her image, trying to fill in the details. No birds, and no crashing of waves, but the blue grey of the sea with the reddish gold of the sky.

Once she is satisfied she will pull out her lute, and strum a tune reminiscent of the sounds of the sea. A minor key, slightly sad, to match the tone of the evening, with the occasional tweak of a string to mimic a sea birds call.

She will struggle to maintain it as long as she can, but eventually it wavers, and when it does it fades away.

Pleased with her efforts, she finishes the stew, gets out the plates, and serves it up to her companions. She will have a small cup of the Branch Farm cider with hers, though she assumes the others wish for something stronger.

Janek will try to take care of the horses, but brushing them down will be more of a task for him.

Adventurers who live long enough to have such reflections, reflect on such a night as this. A strong campsite, comfortable tents, blazing fire, the ocean breeze and oceans sounds and smells, and fine food cooked up by Delta.  Fine cider, wine, and other spirits available around a warm fire with a tapestry of stars above.  With the wind and ocean noise, there is no need for stealth, so stories, songs, and music are all swept away safely into the natural world.  Sleep, when it comes, wraps itself snugly around each of the adventurers, and hugs them gently till the rays of morning wake them.

"Thank you, Delta, for this fine repast."

Odd dreams haunt the young gnome thru the night, not quite nightmares, but memorable in their oddity.

The party was riding thru the woods on a trip to the beach, but they were riding a single hippopotamus. A huge beast, with a bright colorful saddle for six, red and gold fabrics, tassels and bells. It's huge cavernous mouth held all their trucks and suitcases.

They came to a cliff that rose above them, leading up into a sky which looked like the ocean. Birds flew all upside down and caddy-wumpus, crying out in what sounded like barks and meows.

The party climbed to the top of the cliff, only to be frightened by a fearsome beast, a flying elephant! It's massive trunks bore a wide array of fruits, and it turned out friendly enough that they could snack on his juicy pears, grapes and oranges. He spoke delicate elvish, in a surprisingly high pitched voice, and told them all about the proper way to mulch spread mulch.

After they had bid the friendly pachyderm adieu, they were accosted by a massive creature, wings and head like a giant eagle, but with the body of a gorilla. It swooped down, and tried to pick up Delta in his massive finger like toes, but she stumbled, and upon hitting the ground, woke up.

"What a dream," she muttered to herself, grabbing a towel and heading for some private spot for her morning ablutions. Once she had finished, she started a porridge with apples bits in it, and cinnamon on top for breakfast, and a nice spot of hot tea for everyone who wants some.

I think there was something rotten about those berries you used last night.  I had the weirdest dream about a half-orc... never mind, but I ain't having leftovers!

"No left-overs, fresh porridge!" Delta said. "Funny, I had strange dreams as well. I don't think it was my cooking's fault thought!" She laughs as she says this.

I like a little honey on my porridge, but whatever we have will do.

He will wolf down a bigger portion than one would think his body capable of handling.

Vala had spent the evening before watching Delta practice her illusions. The warrioress's eyes had been wide with amazement as she took in the sheer artistry her friend wove with her magic and at the end she applauded.

The following morning she was eager to tuck into the porridge. "Strange, I didn't have any dreams last night. Maybe I didn't eat enough," she says, taking an especially large helping of breakfast.

Tanyl looks at the others.  "I didn't dream either.  Or at least, I don't remember any dreams.  I often don't."

Seeing that Tanyl is awake, she brings him a hot bowl of porridge and a small stone mug of periwinkle tea decorated with hand a hand painted sunrise on each side. It isn't very pretty, but she was proud of her work.

"When you are fully awake, please check the rope to make sure it is safe. Just to be sure?"

Tanyl smiles.  It's not a broad smile; it's a small smile but unmistakably present.

"Thank you again," he says.

When he finishes his food (while it's still hot) he checks the rope.

When everyone is done, Delta washes the dishes and her utensils and packs everything up.

Once done, she will check her weapons, and her lantern. She is soon ready to descend.

A check of the rope ladder finds that is it in good strong shape and well secured.  It appears that if lowered, it will reach the mouth of the cave but not much past it.

ooc: jfyi,  Brother Matthias will not be joining you on this particular adventure. His real person is very busy with RL stuff, he will hopefully rejoin at a later date once things calm down for him and his family. 

Tanyl reports his assessment to the others.

"Thank you Tanyl, I trust your assessment of these things far more than I do my own. Shall we?"


She heads over to the rope and prepares to follow Janek.

Janek will climb down the rope ladder, being careful for traps.

Vala goes last, keeping watch on their position just in case (even if an attack from this direction seems unlikely.) Before following the others she tests her bastard sword, making sure the edge is as keen as ever.

Janek makes his way down the rope ladder with relative ease.  The wind coming off the sea makes it impossible for him to hear much of anything other than wind and the occasional sea bird, but he figures that goes also to cover his own noise.  At the edge of the mouth of the cave, he leans down and takes a few quick looks inside.

While he can only see see the main part of the cave, not towards either side, he does see a large natural looking cave.  It is perhaps sixty feet deep, with two columns of stone going from floor to ceiling.  It has near the back, some natural looking terrace steps, that rise up making for a higher platform of perhaps 15 feet across, almost like a natural stage. All around there are small boulders that are covered in thick moss and tight grasses, the floor glistens with moisture.  The cave, being where it is, is probably always very damp.

Middle of the cave, there is a small fire and two hobgoblins are sitting, cooking fish. They do not notice they have company yet.

Is there ledge enough for Delta to join Janek?

Janek will put up two fingers so the party can see it.  He will move along the wall just enough to let Delta land and whisper close, _"Hobbos"  He will then move further in, using the wall as cover as much as possible.

Taking a peek, Delta considers her options.

Slowly and quietly Delta will draw her sword. She considers trying to be more crafty, but decided to reserve what little arcane potency she had for a more dangerous appearing foe.

She gestures to Janek, with her right hand she mimics killing, with her right, tying them up, hoping Janek can grasp her crude gestures, and has an opinion...

With Vala going last, that leaves the third position for Tanyl.

And he waits his turn.

Janek motions Delta to go to the left, he will go to the right and stay among the boulders until the others descend the ladder.  He will motion for a ranged attack when everyone is in place.


Today: Janek rolled 8 using 1d20.  Dex Check (17).

Shrugging at the fact that Janek ignored her hand-gestured inquiry, Delta will follow his lead, and move to the left, trying to find a place to hide among the rocks.

13:15, Today: Delta rolled 16 using 1d20.  Dex check (16).

Tanyl also moves down, with a spell ready in case it is needed before he can get to the ground.

Delta and Janek both move to the sides and allow Tanyl to joing them.   Both find the floor very slick with a coat of moisture on smooth rock but are dexterous enough not to slip.  Tanyl moves and allows Vala to join him on the ledge but as she does, there is slightest clink of her heavy armor.

The Hobgoblins looks up, they are suprised!

ooc: you have initiative! They are about 25 feet away.

Not having time to load her crossbow, Delta switches her sword to her left hand, then throws three darts at the enemy... but fails to connect with any of them.

"Well fiddlesticks!"

15:50, Today: Delta rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  dart 3.

15:50, Today: Delta rolled 5 using 1d20+1.  dart 2.

15:50, Today: Delta rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  dart 1.

Janek throws both of his daggers before pulling his sword.  His first shot is way short, but the second one finds its mark, but not as well as he would have hoped.


09:59, Today: Janek rolled 2 using 1d6.  Damage on D2.

09:58, Today: Janek rolled 22 using 1d20+2.  Dagger 2.

09:58, Today: Janek rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  Dagger 1.

Having reached the ground, and given the close quarters, Tanyl also relies on daggers for his missile weapon.  He launches two; the first sinks into the hobgoblin's neck.  The second      . . . doesn't.

Once his attacks are over, he readies his sword and another dagger, and scoots slightly to get out of Vala's way.

07:56, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 23,2 using d20+3,d4.  Dagger 1.

ADJUST TO 4 DUE TO NATURAL 20



07:56, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 10,1 using d20+3,d4.  Dagger 2.

There is a flurry of pointy objects flying through the air, most of which clink and clatter across the cave floor or bounce off the stalagmites, two however embed themselves to the hilt into each of the wide-eyed hobgoblins.  They barely make a noise as the slump to the ground dead.

"Fire enough missiles, some are bound to hit," Tanyl says.

He pauses a moment to make sure there are no other threats in the gloom, then advances to retrieve his daggers and see what the hobgoblins may have been up to.

Chuckling at Tanyl's joke, Delta moves her sword back to her right hand and cautiously moves forward to retrieve her darts.

She looks around the cave, using the light of their fire. She pokes at the fish as well, risking a tiny nibble if they seem well cooked enough. She also looks about for any sign of hobgoblin spices or cooking utensils to see if there is anything she wants to add to her kit.

As you retrieve your thrown weapons, you check the bodies and the room.  It has been lived in, but hobgoblins, the floors are slick, and there are piles of waste in the back.  The hobs have two nice swords, surprisingly nice for hobgoblins, but their armor is poor, and they have little else other than a few silver pieces each.  They are over cooking some fish over a small fire.  The main remarkable thing in the room is a tunnel (not a hole), leading nearly straight down. Somewhat natural looking it obviously has hand and foot holds chiseled into one side, like a stone ladder of sorts.  The smell from below is not promising.

Comparing the nice hobgoblin swords to her own, Delta ponders a switch. Are either of them short swords?

"Any thoughts on the cave Janek? Looks pretty natural to me, but you are our resident expert on such things."

After the sewers, could this be worse?

Janek cleans his daggers before sheathing them.

Hoping to find a way to avoid going through a shaft in the ground, Tanyl investigates the walls in the hope of finding a secret passage . . . or something.

Janek also searches for hidden passages.

Delta wanders outside to make sure Vala is okay.

A thorough search of the cavern finds not secret doors.

Dang, looks like we are going into the hole, folks. 

Vala had slipped a little as she came in - not enough to cause injury but enough to delay her enough to "miss the fun" as she told Delta.

"Well, I guess these aren't the last hobgoblins we'll meet. Who's in first?"

"I 'missed' the fun as well," Delta chortled, admitting that all of her missiles had gone wide of the mark.

"What say Janek, ready to be first in again?"

No worries, I will lead us into scarry hole.

Tanyl saunters up, looking for a place in line.

Janek works his way carefully down the hole, using the handgrips and toe holds to descend rather easily.  The hole is large enough and the grips are well laid out.   He descends about 30 feet before reaching a bottom.  The wall on one side is still rough hewn but the other other side is smooth.  It is like as not, he is inside a column.  A quick search reveals that indeed, the smooth part of the wall can act as a door and swing outward.


ooc: sorry for the slow posting, it will continue for a few more days.  The retirement community I manage has been informed they are coming to vaccinate ever one of the my residents that wants it next Tuesday.  So we have gather consent forms, submit a massive database, schedule the appointments, etc., and try to do it orderly (ha!),  its going to be chaos, but we are happy its our turn.

"Come on down, I found an exit, I think."


(OOC)
I love organized chaos!  My wife, what's her name, asked where your home was.

Assuming her place in line, Delta will go down as well. Once she reaches the bottom she will unlimber her lantern and light it, so that Vala will have some light on her way down.

OOC Glad to hear they are getting their vaccines.

You hear nothing from beyond the door, and it does not seem to have a lock of any kind.

Once the entire party has reached to bottom of the ladder, Janek will open the door.

Bringing the aperture of the bullseye lantern to a minimum, Delta will also point it away from the opening to aid in their attempts to be stealthy, and hinder Janek's vision in the darkness as little as possible.

Opening the column door, you are in the center of a 40 x 70 foot temple.  Facing the center column at one end is a large stone statue, a partial hooded figure with the face of a reptilian skull with eyes that glitter green with jewels.

Lying in front of this statue is a man, bound and gagged, asleep or maybe dead.  Also, there are four hobgoblins, three lying asleep, one sitting up and keeping watch. It has noticed the door opening but has not reacted yet, perhaps believing it to be one of his own.

ooc: map is updated

Tanyl whispers: "Let me charm him." And he makes his attempt . . .

OOC: Charm Person

Janek holds his daggers in ready, in case the charm doesn't work.

Waiting in the back, Delta waits to see what happens.

The hobgoblin continues to stare at the open door but does not react in any way.  It seems fairly unconcerned.

Does that mean it worked Delta wonders, but waits to see what the others do first.

Janek quietly sneaks in to the left in an arc towards the sleepers, daggers ready.

The spell seems to have worked -- but that conclusion depends on whether the hobgoblin has seen anyone in the party.

Tanyl, as the caster, will be most able to tell if the spell worked -- but to do so, must present himself and interact.  So he does.

Hands at his belt (conveniently near two daggers), Tanyl enters.  "Finally got here; can you help?" he asks in Hobgoblin.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Wed 20 Jan 2021.

Tense, Delta waited and watched, fingers crossed. She was concerned that there was only one human visible here, and she hoped both of the scholars they had been sent to fins were still alive.

She also wondered if they would get paid simply bringing back bodies, but she is pragmatic that way...

The hobgoblin shakes its head, "Help, yes, with what?"

With the beginning of a conversation, the sleeping/dead bound human begins to wiggle, and barks out "MMMELPP MMMEEE, MMMEPPP!"

Which causes the other three hobgoblins to begin to stir.

"MMEMMMM!!"

Janek throws two daggers, but his movement affects the throws and they fly wildly.  He draws his sword and moves towards the just waking hobgoblins.

Tanyl tries to salvage the benefits of his spell.  At least, it may help to confuse.

As he continues walking forward, he announces in Hobgoblin:

"Them!" he says, pointing an accusing finger at the rousing trio of hobgoblins.  "They are conspiring with the hu-man.  We must knock them out so they can't help him escape!"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Wed 20 Jan 2021.

Delta shakes her head, as Janek leaps lack of patience undoes all the good of Tanyl's magic. What the fuck man.

As the daggers fly and swords are drawn, the hobgoblins move to action.  Two attack the approaching party, and two more spears come flying in from behind the party.  Through skill and luck and armor, none of these attacks find their marks.

Nearest to the bound human, two of the hobgoblins begin grappling with each other, taking them out of the combat.





ooc:  PC's are up.


6 Hobgoblins:  AC: 5   Hps:   x/   x/   x/    x/   x/(fighting 6)   x/(charmed fighting 5)

PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 5

Vala     Fighter         1     11/11    2     15
Tanyl    Mage/Thief      1     6/6      4     16
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   1/1    9/9      2     15
Janek    Fghtr/Thief    1/1    10/10    3     15

 

Opening the lantern wide, Delta points it in to the room. Vala needs light, and if it can blind or hamper the hobgoblins any, bonus. Drawing her sword, she moves to the left flank and if there is time, she swings, but misses.


08:33, Today: Delta rolled 10 using 1d20.  swing.

Janek goes after the nearest hobgoblin with his broadsword, cutting into it.


06:31, Today: Janek rolled 16,3 using d20,2d4.  Attack nearest.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:33, Fri 22 Jan 2021.

"Good, good," Tanyl encourages the one under his spell, as he produces his sword and a dagger and goes after another of the hobgoblins at the front (because he's closer to the front than the rear).

But he misses with both swings.


13:02, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 14,5 using d20+1,d8.  Long Sword (16 to hit).

13:02, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 10,2 using d20-2,d4.  Dagger (16 to hit).

With a wild Northern yelp Vala leapt into the fray, the tall warrioress slicing her bastard sword through the air at the nearest hobgoblin.

As she moves passed Delta Vala has a split second to shoot her friend a smile of gratitude for the light.

---

OOC:


22:51, Today: Vala rolled 6 using 2d4+3.  Damage #2.

22:51, Today: Vala rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

22:51, Today: Vala rolled 9 using 2d4+3.  Damage #1.

22:51, Today: Vala rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #1.

While she can hold her own, Delta is always impressed by the blade-work of her warrior princess friend, Vala!

Vala and Janek cut down the three hobgoblins nearest to the bound human, the fourth in that group who is charmed, awaits further instructions.  That leaves only the two hobgoblins that are behind the group and these throw spears again this round, one hitting Tanyl hard but barely is stopped by his armor, and lucky too, for the second one skewers into him.  Hard both hit, he would likely be dead. (-5hps).





ooc:  PC's are up.


6 Hobgoblins:  AC: 5   Hps:   x/   x/   x/dead    x/dead   x/dead   x/(charmed)

PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 5

Vala     Fighter         1     11/11    2     15
Tanyl    Mage/Thief      1     6/1      4     16
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   1/1    9/9      2     15
Janek    Fghtr/Thief    1/1    10/10    3     15

 

Racing forward, Delta attempts to down one of the remaining hobboes. Her blade connects, but only with a glancing blow!

"Manure!" she mutters under her breath in Gnomen.


08:56, Today: Delta rolled 1 using 1d6.  dmg.

08:55, Today: Delta rolled 17 using 1d20.  swing short sword.

Tanyl gets behind the charmed hobgoblin.  Wincing in pain, he uses it as a "hobgoblin shield" and says, "See how these traitors have come in force to rescue him?  Stay here and protect me!"

Janek moves to attack the other hobbo, slicing into it.


05:54, Today: Janek rolled 15,7 using d20,2d4.  Attack on hobbo.

And just like that, the battle ends.  Janek and Delta cut down the last two hobs that are fighting.  One is standing guard in front of Tanyl.


ooc: the dice roller works for you folks as well, I rolled for these monsters hit points and got 5 of 6 come back as 1's!   

Stunned that her foe went down with what she had felt was such a minor blow, Delta stabs the body again to make sure he isn't feigning. Twice.

"Well, that was exhilarating," she says, wiping her blade off and sheathing it. Returning to the shaft, she reclaims her lantern, picking it up and shining the light around the chamber.

"Going to introduce us to your new friend, Tanyl? Ouch, you look pretty beat up."

While she tried to be a jack of all trades, patching up wounds was not in her wheel house. She never thought she would miss Matthias quite so much.

Janek asks, did you need some healing?  I can do some.

"I desperately need medical attention, but let me see if our ally can help.  My friend,"

Tanyl turns to the charmed hobgoblin, beaming as best he can through the pain.

"you did very well in fending off that scums' treachery.  We must make sure that this hu-man stays with us.  There are big plans involving him.  Big plans; important plans.  And now that this attempt has failed there will likely be more, so we must move him to a more secure location.  But tell me: have you any healing salves or potions?"

Regardless of the answer, and to save time on posting, I'll do the follow up.  Obviously, if he has no healing to offer, I really need some. :P

"Now: what were your orders?  We must find out how deep the conspiracy goes.  And there was another hu-man with this one; where is he?  I hope they haven't already stolen him away?" 
This message was last edited by the player at 22:40, Mon 25 Jan 2021.

Delta uses fourty-nine percent of her attention looking about the cavern, (including search the bodies, as long as it doesn't seem to disturb our new 'friend') and fifty-one watching Tanyl, trying to get some sense on how his very different glamour works.

Vala also moves to inspect the bodies, the tall brunette casting an uncertain glance at their 'ally'. She didn't say anything aloud but clearly mind influencing magic spooked her.

The hobgoblin looks stupid but pleased that he did good for his new friend.  Though he does not have any healing potion or ability.

In broken hobgoblin he adds, "They took other skinny human down below.  To feed to their evil she-god.  They let us stay here if we help them".

Her furry little ears perk up at the sound of 'evil she god' and she is eager to know who 'they' might be, but Delta trusts Tanyl to get the information they need. She continues to search the bodies.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:54, Wed 27 Jan 2021.

Tanyl looks irritated, which isn't far from his true feeling.  "The fools!  Don't they know that the time is not right?  I bet they don't even have the right number for the ceremony.
 Who exactly went down below, and how many of them went?"

"Ah only seen two of them, only ever seen two at a time, but I'm sure there is more, they stink so its best they stay away"

"They stink?"  Tanyl looks puzzled.  "Wait -- the ones who took that hu-man; they're supposed to be elves, like me -- was it someone else?"

OOC:  Did our unexpected draftee/ally respond to this?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:22, Wed 27 Jan 2021.

Having heard legends of stinky lizard-men like creatures from the sagas, she wonder if this might be them. She hopes to find something useful on the bodies of the dead, even if it was only nose-plugs.

Searching the dead hobgoblins reveals 6 short spears, 4 short swords, one long sword, 5 helmets, 5 wood shields, 22 gold pieces and 10 pieces of silver coinage with the symbol of skull on it (they appear to be very old and crudely made).   There are some crude fishing poles, dirty bed rolls, and sundry clothing of no real value.  Oh, and a bound, gagged scholar is still wriggling on the ground before the statue.

Delta compares the short swords with her own, and opts for whichever is in the best shape.

She pockets the coin for now, to be divided up later.

"Sad, no spices..."

She waits for Tanyl before untying the hostage, for fear that anything else might trigger the hobgoblin.

Janek releases the man.

Delta says nothing, but she does note that Janek seems eager to do the opposite of whatever she seems to find prudent.

She will have to keep his behavior in mind.

She keeps an extra eye on the hobgoblin as the human is untied...

The man takes a deep breath, "Thank Ioun for you coming, I thought those filthy beasts were going to eat me!  I can't tell you how horrible this has been....and poor Jimma, they took him below, through that far wall, it's got a door in it...."

The hobgoblin has been thinking and looks at Tanyl, "Not elves, stinky lizards".

Tanyl continues playing the "we've got a charmed hobgoblin" card and in response to his statement groans.

"The lizards!  No! They will mess everything up.  We must go there and see what they are doing.  Please show us the way."

Tanyl then turns to Janek. "I'll take you up on that offer of healing if the offer's still good."

No worries, master Tanyl. He touches him with his hand and heals what he can.


05:24, Today: Janek rolled 5 using 1d4+4.  Heal Tanyl.

The friendly hobgoblin walks the length of the room, past the column stairs you came down in and to a far wall that appears made of solid stone. He points to the center of it,

"It's there somewhere, we could never open it".

The released scholar nods his agreement that some sort of door exists there.

Delta asks after the reason for the scholars coming here in the first place. Such information might prove useful. Once he has shared this knowledge, she will go on.

"We will be going after Jimma, but we can't leave you here. Would you rather go up to our camp, or join us in our rescue attempt?"

The scholar recites that they found a ancient reference to this place as a possible temple to the oldest known civilization to have lived in these realms and a possible temple to their goddess.  They came to survey it.  Clearly, it is that, but also inhabited.

Despite his fear for his comrade, joining the adventure is beyond this poor boys capacity, he nearly feints at the mere thought.

The hobgoblin adds quickly.

"I will take the human to your camp and guard him with my life, for though you are my dearest friends, nothing will entice me into that pit below here"

She gives Tanyl a glance, clearly curious if the hobgoblin is trustworthy once we (or more specifically he) leaves the area.

She then turns to the scholar again.

"Is this goddess you are looking for possible connected to the stinky-lizards and their 'evil she-god'? Is there any knowledge of that goddess that might help us, should she make an appearance?"

He looks a little embarrassed but adds, "I don't think she is really down there, oh gods, I hope not.  They worshipped death, in the form a woman.  But they were men, not lizards. ".

"I imagine a goddess will accept any worship she can get, especially if she had been abandoned for, wow, how many years Centuries, I assume. Can a goddess go insane? A frightening though. Tanyl, how do you feel about leaving your new friend here with our scholar?"

OOC: What is this person's name?

ooc: no one has asked, Bre'al

OOC I assumed we had both of their names from the guy who hired us.

Tanyl shoots a glance at the scholar and considers a moment.  Uncertain whether the scholar will understand the nature of the alliance with the hobgoblin -- or if he would trust it -- Tanyl doesn't know how to proceed.

"Is it the stinky lizards, or something else, that makes you unwilling?" he asks, trying to get every bit of information that can be gotten.

Piggybacking on Tanyl's comment, Delta also inquires just how stinky the lizards were.

"The lizards, they make you feel sick".

"Oh, that is  not good. We need some way to prepare for that."

She considers what spices she might douse a face cloth with to block out such a scent. It would have to be strong, probably unpleasant, but not bad enough to make you sick.

Having a good knowledge of about where the  secret door is, help immensely in finding it.  Well hidden it is, even with the combined eyes of halfling, dwarf, and part elf, it is no easy task to find it or how it opens.  But find it you do.  Now, the question, do you open it?

Can I make the face coverings I have suggested? Why doesn't someone ask the hobgoblin if he knows where the secret door is?

OOC:

1.  I'm a full elf, thank you very much! :)

2.  I thought we did ask the hobgoblin . . .

. . . not that any of this matters, as we found the door.

I'm interested in Delta's success too.

________________________

IC:

Tanyl asks the hobgoblin: "Any traps to be wary of?"

"We could break down the door the easy way," Vala speaks up. The tall barbarian warrioress does indeed look like she could break open a door (by headbutting it if needed.)

Tanyl, being a full elf, can tell by his hobgoblins action that the door is not trapped to its knowledge.  Delta has some strong spices that she can fold into a cloth and make facemasks of a rough sort.  Whether they will fend off the smells of a stinky lizard, only experimentation will find out!

Fully recovered, Tanyl nods his thanks to to Janek and announces: "I think henceforth I will be less likely than I have been to enter close-quarters with enemies."

He points the secret door's particulars to the party and readies his bow.  "I don't think we should delay."

He turns to Bre'al. "Do you want to stay or join us?"

"I am not going down there, I am sorry...I want to but, this has already been more than I bargained for."

Working swiftly, Delta makes a cloth mask with pungent spices for herself, Vala and Tanyl.

"Do you want one too?" she asks of the dwarf?

"I don't think so, but thanks."

With a shrug, Delta puts on her mask. Dwarfs are notoriously resistant to poisons and such, she figures he is the least likely to need such a thing anyway.

Did anyone ask the hobgoblin how to open the secret door? I know he showed us where it was, but it seems like we need a bit more.

Janek goes to where the Hobbo indicated and attempts to open the door.

Tanyl takes the protective device offered by Delta.  To the scholar, he says:

"Your choice.  We'll be back soon, hopefully with your friend.  What's his name?"

The scholar replies, somewhat relieved "Jimma".

It takes Janek several minutes to figure out how to open the door, its not of dwarven design but he is impressed with the cleverness someone used to hide it in plain sight.

When he does open it, a waft of stale, moist air meets him.  Unpleasant but nothing he can't stomach. On the far side, a dark stairwell leading down, it is narrow, only 4 feet wide and descend sharply.

"Oh, Joy! Another creepy staircase.  You ready for this?"

"Lead on, MacDwarf," Delta responds, having retrieved her lantern. "Perhaps this time I should go right before or right after Vala so my light can guide her feet better?"

The rough hewn staircase descends many feet and by a dwarf's intuition, Janek guesses that when in ends in a ten foot wide corridor, they are just about level with sea.

The corridor goes forward at least 60 feet and is ten feet wide.  This is not rough hewn but carefully constructed and old.  The air is very moist, and the smell of the place seems to cling to you.  From the entry you can see about 30 feet on left way, there is a narrow gap, and about 60 feet, two alcoves with protuding statues.  Even from this distance you can see they mirror the death mistress statue from the level above.

All is quiet.

ooc: I'll update the map a little later today

Moving slowly, the little gnome does what she can to make sure Vala can see her footing. Once at the bottom she pauses. Taking a sniff or two, Delta attempts to gauge the efficacy of her mask.

Janek moves towards the gap and checks for traps.

Tanyl follows, vowing to stay behind those more hearty than him.

Janek moves carefully forward to the first small passage to the left.  It is narrow, like the stairs only wide enough for a single person at a time.  He can see it goes at least 40 or 50 feet and about middway, there is a pile of rocks partially blocking the passage.  His dwarvish knowledge tells him this was not a cave in, but someone piled them there as a barrier.  Oddly, they aren't that high, someone could scramble over them with relative ease.

This side passageway is even more moist and smells of the sea.

"Okay, forward or down here?" He points to the side.

"I'd say straight."

"I agree," the gnome said quietly, keeping her lantern down low, just enough to let Vala see what is going on.

Moving carefully forward, you find a few steps down, leading to a large statue of the death goddess on the right.  There are two alcoves across from the steps that appear to have stone coffins in them.  The passage turns to the left and after a short space, opens into a very large hall with square pillars.  To the left, there is a cavern filled with water.  To the right, a wide set of three steps rises.

It to the right that you hear sounds of creatures moving about.


ooc: please check out the map, easier to see this than describe it!!

Pausing, Delta makes an effort to examine and memorize the statue. It's outfit, it's face, the way it holds itself. Should they survive, she would project an image for Bre'al, and with any luck, Jimma as well.

Tanyl cranes his neck to see if he can spy anything moving to the right.

The larger stature here reveals more detail than the smaller ones earlier encountered.  They were just robed women with deep cowls and the face of a skull barely visible in the depth of the cowl.

Here, the skull face is more pronounced, and at the bottom of the robe, the tips of what look like a fishtail stick out.

Tanyl realizes, whatever is to the right, and coming his way.

Unaware of whatever is approaching, Delta will crane her head around the side of the statue to get a better look at the tail, and how it fits into the shape of the statue.

Janek looks for shadows to hide in.

Bow still readied, Tanyl also looks for some shadows to blend with as he hisses: "something's coming!"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:43, Thu 11 Feb 2021.

Instantly focused, Delta brings the lantern light to heel, making sure it doesn't give then away. Turning to face the direction Tanyl is concerned about, she tenses, and waits...

Delta finds that there isn't much more to see on the statue, under the robe is just unfinished stone, the only detail is on the exterior.

Everyone tenses, and or hides, and nothing happens. It grows quiet, except you notice there is a ripple in the water as if something is swimming below its surface. But the noises from the upper stairwell die down to the occasional clank, or deep breath.

Concerned that they have been spotted, Delta puts down the lantern at the foot of the statue, and steps in to the alcove immediately to her right. (The one that is south of us, but to the far west.

She waves for Vala to follow her.

Seeing what's going on, Tanyl follows.

But he allows Janek ahead of him if the dwarf desires it.

Janek tries to find a dark place to attack from.

After some tense mostly quiet moments, a whisper is heard, several, in rough common tongue.

"Shall we cut them up ourselves, or leave 'em for the little goddess to eat?"

"She ain't et the last one we served 'er, I don't think she likes them squirming"

Suddenly the sound of people noisily scurrying up the stairs the party just came down echoes thru the chamber, though no one here has moved.

Delta's spell has an immediate reaction. With the sounds of hissing and scraping of scales, four troglodytes charge down the wide stairs and turn directly towards where the party is waiting.  Although partially hidden, the lizards have excellent vision and don't miss seeing you. Your efforts to hide to afford you first attacks.  These creatures are scaly, bony, and have sharp teeth and claws.  They wear no armor and carry no weapons, but fight like wild creatures.




ooc:

Trogs:   AC:5  One: x/x   Two: x/x  Three: x/x  Four:  x/x


PC's are Up!

PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         1     11/11    2     14
Tanyl    Mage/Thief      1     6/6      4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   1/1    9/9      2     14
Janek    Fghtr/Thief    1/1    10/10    3     14

PC's are UP 
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:30, Mon 15 Feb 2021.

Clearly spotted in her alcove hidey-hole, Delta draws her blade and rushes forward, but not past the end of the corridor, as she fears leaving herself open to attacks from the water. Hopefully her ruse drew the creatures in to an incautious charge closer to where the party is crouched.

Caught off guard, the trogoldytes take the full brunt of her blow!

11:25, Today: Delta rolled 20 using 1d20.  swing short sword.
Crit, max damage, a mighty 6! Hehehe...

Janek throws both daggers at the one nearest him, hitting with one of them.

Janek rolled 17,6,4,6 using d20,d6,d20,d6 with rolls of 17,6,4,6.  Throw both daggers at 1.

Tanyl fires twice, hitting once.



08:31, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 9,5 using d20+1,d6.  Bow A (15?).

08:32, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 17,6 using d20+1,d6.  Bow B (15?).

OOC: I put the ? next to the 15 because the text lists their AC as 5 and the chart lists our THAC 6.  And out of laziness I didn't feel like looking up what was what unless it was necessary. :)

ooc: also out of laziness, I always list the THACO as ac6 in low levels because a lot of monsters of 1 HD seem to be ac6.  Easy to adjust from closer than AC0.

Vala has been preoccupied for a while now, her thoughts on other things, but the appearance of the troglodytes shakes her back into the hear and now. With a ululating northern war cry the tall brunette warrioress leapt into action, her hand-and-a-half sword slicing through the air - and unlucky lizard creatures.

---

OOC:
20:06, Today: Vala rolled 7 using 2d4+3.  Damage #2.

20:05, Today: Vala rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

20:05, Today: Vala rolled 8 using 2d4+3.  Damage #1.

20:05, Today: Vala rolled 16 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #1.

Cheering her barbarian Princess and her success, Delta feels her morale and esprit de corp rising!

That's fair.  I knew that was a possibility; but as I said . . . laziness. :)

Delta and Vala both land hard blows, staggering but not killing the lizards before them. Tanyl and Janek both use ranged weapons and also land telling blows, dropping the two already injured creatures. The remaining two hiss and in their anger a wave of putrid odor envelops the party.  Each also lands a minor bite on their opponents (2 hps to Vala and Delta).   Even as the smell washes over the party, more troglodytes swarm down the step moving to join the battle.


ooc:

All party members must save vs. poison or lose 1 point of strength. Those wearing Delta's herb masks get a +2 to your save attempt.

Trogs:   AC:5  One: x/x   Two: x/dead  Three: x/dead  Four:  x/x


PC's are Up!

PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         1     11/9     2     14
Tanyl    Mage/Thief      1     6/6      4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   1/1    9/7      2     14
Janek    Fghtr/Thief    1/1    10/10    3     14

PC's are UP

A hint of the stench worked its way thru the mask, but Delta was pleased that it seemed to protect her so thoroughly. The thought of using her magic flew through her head for a moment as the sharp teeth of the creature ripped thru her flesh, but sword in hand would have to do for now...

Her second swing still managed to break the flesh of her foes, but with far less impact than the round before. Delta knew she was just a side-show act next to the blade of Vala, whom she hoped would strike true and end yet another of their foes foul lives!


13:42, Today: Delta rolled 22 using 1d20+2.  Save v. Poison, target 14.

13:45, Today: Delta rolled 15 using 1d20.  swing short sword.

13:46, Today: Delta rolled 2 using 1d6.  damage.

'By all the gods what is that stench?' Vala gasped, her eyes watering.

For a horribly guilty moment the barbarian warrioress if one of her boots had come off her foot without her realising it, but a second later she realised her feet remained booted and the reptiles were the smelly ones.

Shaking her head Vala cleared the worst of it, but the moment of hesitation still cost her swing.
OOC:
22:06, Today: Vala rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade.

22:06, Today: Vala rolled 18 using 1d20.  Save vs Poison (14).
This message was last edited by the player at 22:11, Tue 16 Feb 2021.

Tanyl is grateful for the mask, as it makes the difference between horrible retching and . . . not.

He continues his rhythmic firing of arrows, maintaining his impressive (?) 50% accuracy rate.




12:10, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  Saving Throw (poison) -- 13.


12:13, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 18,2 using d20+1,d6.  Bow A (16).

12:13, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 5,5 using d20+1,d6.  Bow B (16).

Janek swings at the nearest foe, but is having a problem with the odor.


06:24, Today: Janek rolled 11,4 using d20,2d4.  Having a swinging time.

The two new trogs split, one joining the fight, the other pulls up just behind and watches the combat.  Trogs land a series of bites and scratches against Vala, Delta, and Janek.  Although horrible, the smell only really seems to get to Janek who begins to feel somewhat weakened by the nausea.




ooc:

Trogs:   AC:5  One: x/-2   Two: x/dead  Three: x/dead  Four:  x/x  Five: x/-2  Six:  x/x


PC's are Up!

PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         1     11/7     2     14
Tanyl    Mage/Thief      1     6/6      4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   1/1    9/5      2     14
Janek    Fghtr/Thief    1/1    10/6     3     14  (-1 Str)

PC's are UP

Janek takes another errant swing.


05:44, Today: Janek rolled 12,4 using d20,2d4.  Slice and dice.

Shaking off her disgust Vala presses her attack, trying to position herself between the horrid reptilians and the more vulnerable Delta and Janek.

---

OOC:
20:17, Today: Vala rolled 6 using 2d4+3.  Damage #2.

20:17, Today: Vala rolled 7 using 2d4+3.  Damage #1.

20:17, Today: Vala rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

20:17, Today: Vala rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #1.

Concerned about the observer, and how careful he is, Delta calls out "Tanyl, focus on the one in the back please!"

She assumes he knew that already, but can't resist calling out anyway.

Stepping to one side, she will try to join in on the forward one, but her swing fails to connect.

15:08, Today: Delta rolled 10 using 1d20.  swing short sword.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

Tanyl pauses in his firing to try a different strategy:  He waves a hand at the rear-most Trog and says: "We need help; these traitors are keeping us from the ceremony!"

Janek continues to weaken due to the overwhelming stench and nausea. Both he and Delta miss in their attempted attacks.  Vala manages to hit once but a solid hit, but the Trol, though bleeding badly still stands.  For their part, the lizardlike Trogs each land a blow on Vala, Delta and Janek.  Though none are in mortal pain yet, the damage is mounting.  Tanyl speaks to the Trog in the back, who continues to survey the battle, and neither join in, nor leave the scene.




ooc:

Trogs:   AC:5  One: x/-9   Two: x/dead  Three: x/dead  Four:  x/x  Five: x/-2  Six:  x/x


PC's are Up!

PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         1     11/4     2     14
Tanyl    Mage/Thief      1     6/6      4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   1/1    9/4      2     14
Janek    Fghtr/Thief    1/1    10/4     3     14  (-2 Str)

PC's are UP

Tanyl grunts, and decides to miss a trog with an arrow.


14:25, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 10,6 using d20+1,d6.  Bow (16).

Janek finally connects, but he is weakened, and doesn't do much.


06:24, Today: Janek rolled 17,6 using d20,2d4.  Attack Trog.
I forgot the -2, but it is still a hit, I believe

ooc: Janek, the -2 is to his STR number, it is not so low that he is as of yet incurring any actual penalties to hit/damage, if he loses enough STR, that could become the case, sorry that is confusing.

Vala winced in pain at the latest hit, but the grimace turned into a tight smile. Gods but she loved a proper fight!

With another warcry she sliced her five foot long bastard sword as if it was as light as a scimitar, slashing at her opponent.

---

OOC:
21:52, Today: Vala rolled 10 using 2d4+3.  Damage.

21:52, Today: Vala rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade.

Finding her accuracy diminishing, Delta misses yet again. She really didn't want to spend her lone spell at this point, but it seemed it might become necessary. She ponders an expeditious retreat, but realizes that she can't leave Vala behind.

OOC - Curious, there seems to be two Trogs left, and they got three hits, do they have multiple attacks?
15:35, Today: Delta rolled 6 using 1d20.  swing short sword.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

ooc: Trogs slash twice with claws and bite, 3 attacks per round. And there were four Trogs left, 3 in combat and one watching, it'll be less after that hit by Vala though!
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:56, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

Janek depite his growing illness manages a deep slash on the Trog facing him, it is enough to kill it.  Vala follows suit cutting down the Trog in front of her.  The two remaining Trogs scratch and bite will mild success, landing light hits on Vala and Janek.




ooc:

Trogs:   AC:5  One: x/dead   Two: x/dead  Three: x/dead  Four:  x/x  Five: x/dead  Six:  x/x


PC's are Up!

PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         1     11/2     2     14
Tanyl    Mage/Thief      1     6/6      4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   1/1    9/4      2     14
Janek    Fghtr/Thief    1/1    10/2     3     14  (-3 Str)

PC's are UP

Janek uses his ring to heal some damage.

07:34, Today: Janek rolled 6 using 1d4+4.  Heal with ring (from cereal box).

Ala was starting to look weaker now, the many wounds showing there mark in the paleness of her skin and the stiffness of her muscle. Still the tall Northern warrioress fought on with her blade.

---

OOC:
22:08, Today: Vala rolled 10 using 2d4+3.  Damage #2.

22:08, Today: Vala rolled 18 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #2.

22:08, Today: Vala rolled 8 using 2d4+3.  Damage #2.

22:08, Today: Vala rolled 2 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade #1.

Stabby stabby, poke, poke... only the air sadly.

17:48, Today: Delta rolled 10 using 1d20 ((10)).

Tanyl considers using his last spell.

But doesn't.

And wishes he did.


20:45, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 10,4 using d20+1,d6.  Bow B.

20:45, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 3,3 using d20+1,d6.  Bow A (16).

Vala strikes down another Trog, while the rest of party tries and misses on the last one.  Vala is rewarded by the last, and apparently either stupid or fearless, Trog slashing her with a claw.  She is bloodied and staggers but somehow does not go down!  Janek's wounds seem to mostly heal on their own.

Janek depite his growing illness manages a deep slash on the Trog facing him, it is enough to kill it.  Vala follows suit cutting down the Trog in front of her.  The two remaining Trogs scratch and bite will mild success, landing light hits on Vala and Janek. Cut and pasted into this round from previous round, please ignore




ooc:

Trogs:   AC:5  One: x/dead   Two: x/dead  Three: x/dead  Four:  x/dead  Five: x/dead  Six:  x/x


PC's are Up!

PC       Class        Level    HP      AC   THAC 6

Vala     Fighter         1     11/1     2     14
Tanyl    Mage/Thief      1     6/6      4     15
Delta    Fghtr/Illnst   1/1    9/4      2     14
Janek    Fghtr/Thief    1/1    10/8     3     14  (-4 Str)

PC's are UP
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:36, Sat 27 Feb 2021.

Delta swings again.

And misses again.

17:11, Today: Delta rolled 8 using 1d20 ((8)).

His strength failing, and the stench filling his nostrils, Janek can't swing his sword to save his life.


11:15, Today: Janek rolled 4,3 using d20,2d4.  Die stupid trog!

Even Vala was starting to flag. The tall warrioress was covered in blood, much of it her own and her sword swings were growing less focus. For a moment Vala paused and shook her head, as if trying to overcome fatigue and injury via sheer force of will.

---

OOC:
02:18, Today: Vala rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Attack with the Starblade.

02:17, Today: Vala rolled 4 using 1d4+1.  Second Wind.

Tanyl takes an extra moment to steady his aim, sends his arrow flying . .  . and it plunges into the trog's chest!

Tanyl is too excited, however, to make it to successful attacks in a row.



20:51, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 21,5 using d20+1,d6.  Arrow A (16 to hit).
Damage should now be six because of the natural 20 on the attack roll

20:51, Today: Tanyl Miaras rolled 8,4 using d20+1,d6.  Arrow B (16 to hit).

The Trog looks down at the arrow deep into his chest with a look of surprise and then slumps to the  ground. Quiet descends on the chamber.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Delta begins to search the bodies, then asks for aid dumping them into the water to hide them.

Janek helps her, hoping it will improve the air quality.

Vala looks exhausted but also exhilarated. The warrioress, practically dyed red all over at this point is making a brave effort to clean her sword.

"That was some fight!"

"Rather wish Mattias was here right now," said an exhausted Delta. "Nice final shot by the way Tanyl. Well done."

If there is time when they are done searching and disposing of the bodies, Delta would like to sketch the statue.

"Thank you.  Sorry it didn't come sooner."

He helps with the clean up, then advances/scouts a bit to see what can be seen.

As the last of the lizard trogs dies, the odor begins to lessen somewhat.  It is still awful but not lethal.  Delta searches the bodies and finds that they have little on them other than their weapons and a few rags of clothing.  A quick scouting from Tanyl finds two things of note. On the upper floor, an area that was clearly the trogs "nest', lots of cloth and sea grass is strewn about to create an area of bedding.  In the back of this is a locked iron chest.

As the others prepare to drag the dead to the water, they see the other other on the far side of the water on a ledge, he is unmoving and covered by a sheet.  Before you manage to toss any of the dead, the water at the shore ripples and splashes, and something peers up at you from the clear water.  Is it the Goddess of Death, truly, it certainly favors the statues!!


ooc: on the new map A is the nest, B is the other scholar

Well impressed by the goddess, Delta hopes that an attempt at friendly discourse might be the way to go.

"Hello, Goddess. May we talk?"

She starts with Common, then tries all of her other languages, hoping to spot a glimmer of understanding in her large eyes.

Keeping her distance from the water, Delta is quite unhappy with the fact that there seems no dry way top the man they still hope to rescue. Does the water seem to open to the sea?

OOC She speaks Common, dwarvish, gnome, halfling, goblin, kobold, and can also communicate with any burrowing mammal

She looks looks at Delta, blinks several times, and responds, a language that is shrill to your ears, but unknown.  She glances around, looking hopeful, to each of you.  None of you understand her words, but Delta, being closest with knowing how animals speak, feels something, worry, sadness maybe.

"Poor thing, she seems scared. I hope we can get around this without killing her."

She tries to mime asking the creature to bring her the body.

Janek sheaths his sword.

Tanyl pulls out a necklace and, watching the creature, makes as if to put it over his head.

The "goddess" doesn't seem to recognize the necklace, but speaks again in her strange shrill language.  Magically, everyone understands the meaning behind her words,

"You've killed my worshippers, who will bring me fish to eat?"

"Can't you get your own fish?" Tanyl queries.

The she creature answers, "When I swam free, I could."

Vala looks startled when the 'goddess' speaks, but follows Delta in trying negotiations first.
"How did you get here? Maybe we could help you?"

Impressed with Tanyl's magic, Delta shares a thumbs up in his direction at the goddess starts to speak in a way she can understand.

"What has stopped you from swimming free, is it something we can fix? If not, the man over there," she says, pointing to the form on the far ledge, "is a man who might be interested in bringing you fish, I think he was here to learn more about you in the first place."

"The creatures you killed captured me just off the coast, years ago. They lived here and thought I was the goddess of this place.  They smell bad and are stupid but they swim fast.  They carried me here in a net and have kept me ever since.  If you are strong enough, you could carry me back to the sea, there is a passage that leads to the beach.  The man there is asleep.  He just whined and moaned all the time after they tried to feed him to me.  I don't eat manflesh, but he wouldn't calm down so I put him to sleep."

She indicates with her webbed hand to a place on the wall in the hall you are standing and sure enough, a hidden door there opens to a natural passage, the sounds of waves, and blessed fresh air flows from it once opened.

"Vala, this seems your area of expertise. Muscles and all. Do you think you can manage it?"

She turns to face the goddess once again.

"Do you know anything about this place? Do you mind if I go to him, across your water?"

Delta can swim fairly well.

"I'd be willing to try," Vala replies, grinning. The barbarian warrioress looks at the 'goddess'.

"I hope I smell better than the last people who carried you!"

The goddess knows very little of the temple, she has only been in the pool and seen what she can see from that place.  It is her theory that her people, who migrate vast distances in the sea, probably used to visit these beaches, and long ago, the people who lived here may have thought them goddesses, even as the Trogs did.  The statues so resemble herself that she feels this might be the case.

Delta swims over to check out the scholar and finds him deeply asleep, magically so, she cannot wake him.

Vala with great difficulty is able to carry the "goddess" to the sea. She is so happy, she kisses the warrior on the cheek as she is placed into the water, and then in flash, swims away.  Vala sees her far offshore leaping above the water!

"Well," says Tanyl.  "Time to check out that chest?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:34, Wed 03 Mar 2021.

From the platform, Delta checks the scholar to make sure he is okay, then surveys the room from that vantage. This would make a nice temple, even if the 'goddess' had left it.

She wonders if it is close enough to town for the party to make a lair out of it.

"He seems okay, but I'm not a good enough swimmer to get him back, and he wont wake up."

The chest isn't large, and it has a trap, a poison needle, but the Trogs smashed and beat the lid till it caved in.  Avoiding the lock altogether.  The chest is full of ancient gold coins with a rough shape of the goddesses head on it.  By size and weight, there are probably at least 500 of them.  They are probably worth more than just the gold in them, given their ancient nature.

Delta, with the help of the others, is able to get the scholar back into the main temple.

There does appear to be another alter below the water, but there are several of them around in the temple, while of historical value, not likely to yield much else.

ooc: congratulations, you have rescued the hostages, killed the enemies, and will increase your fame within the city, and your wealth as well.  I will calculate up the treasure found and experience points tomorrow and post the results.  For now, its just clean up work and returning to town triumphantly!

Tanyl advises the charmed hobgoblin he is free to leave.  And that he should, lest the guards find him.

Delta starts a small fire to help her, Vala and the scholar dry out. She heats up a little stew as well, and explores the cave a little bit before they head out. Her own thought is it is too dangerous to climb the rope while he is asleep, but if the others push she will comply.

She searches the cavern a little bit, but stays close to the others for the most part.

"Well I guess that's the first goddess I've been kissed by," Vala says. She laughs. "When I have the bards sing of this I hope they make her less... briney."

Shooting a grateful look at Delta for starting a fire the warrioress tries to dry herself out. "Let's not try and pick a fight until we get back home. I love a good fight but that was close and I'll ache for days."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:16, Thu 04 Mar 2021.

She offers a bowl of watered down stew to Janek in the hopes that it would settle him stomach after that foul encounter.

She had been tempted to try and save whatever part of the troglodytes had made them so odoriferous, but decided it wasn't worth the effort.

Picking up her lute, Delta starts plucking out a few tunes, trying to find a nice sound as she works on the lyrics to a new tune. Romance was not her forte, and she had no interest in making a tale about Vala into a comedy or a ghost story, so it was slow going.

Staring up at the statue, she tried to capture the creatures charisma, her strength, yet her vulnerability.

It was going to be a long time before it became anything really good, but it was a start.

"Tanyl, have you searched the place? Curious, did you get your necklace back?"

"Searched around a bit, yeah; I think the chest may be it."

"With Janek's departure, we need a fourth.  For card games, and adventuring."

Tanyl smirks at his joke.

"In the meantime: I'm really interesting in buying some particular spells.  Particularly because I'm learning the hard way that I really should try to avoid being anywhere anyone can hit me."